Monthly Archives: May 2013

The Possum’s Okay

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Laura Rittenhouse

The plan was to return to the farm after 5 days, but, as is often the case, things didn’t go according to plan and our return was delayed by a week. Which was no big deal for me but quite … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature | Tagged | 18 Comments

We’re Moving!

Posted on May 27, 2013 by Laura Rittenhouse

Goodbye suburbia, hello open spaces. Frank and I have accepted the role of caretakers for 18 acres of land owned by the Wheen Bee Foundation in Richmond. This property is about 1 hour west of Chatswood, where we’ve lived for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Garden | Tagged , | 37 Comments

Moulting Chickens

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Laura Rittenhouse

Well, I can only assume my chickens have moulted, or maybe they’re still moulting a bit. The evidence isn’t as overwhelming as I anticipated. Over the past couple of months, we’ve found a few feathers every day in the garden … Continue reading →

Posted in Chickens | Tagged | 6 Comments

They’re fine and now ready for winter

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Laura Rittenhouse

My bees gave me a bit of a scare recently, but all is well. Hive 1 is amazing and the workers zoom in and out as if it’s spring-time rather than autumn – with major honey stores to prove it. Hive 2 … Continue reading →

Posted in bees | Tagged , | 14 Comments

Monstera Fruit

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Laura Rittenhouse

I have a couple of large Monstera plants in my back yard. Besides producing gorgeous, huge foliage in dark places in my garden, they also bear some of the tastiest fruit I’ve ever eaten. I suspect that’s why it’s sometimes … Continue reading →

Posted in Garden | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

First Season Honey Harvests

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Laura Rittenhouse

Brag alert! This post is all about my fantastic honey harvests. I’m unashamedly blowing my own horn while modestly giving a nod to my hard-working bees who actually did all the work. To those of you who struggle with harsh … Continue reading →

Posted in bees, Nature, Sustainability | Tagged , , , | 28 Comments

Pest Control

Posted on May 12, 2013 by Laura Rittenhouse

My chickens are good at many things. Laying eggs is the obvious one. Being down right adorable is another. The 3rd, and less often praised talent that my chooks posses, is as pest controllers. On more than one occasion, I’ve watched … Continue reading →

Posted in bees, Chickens, Nature | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Recycled Fencing

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Laura Rittenhouse

Last year we had our back fence replaced. It was totally decrepit but it had been made of hardwood palings (granted, over 1/2 century ago) and some of that wood was still “useable”. At least after a bit of work. … Continue reading →

Posted in Sustainability | Tagged , | 12 Comments

Queens, Princesses, Assassinations, Coronation, Abdication and Other Royal Chaos

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Laura Rittenhouse

On Monday we checked our hives. Hive 1 is fine. The other 2 are a worry. The requeening of Hive 3, done 16 days prior, seems to have taken. 2 bits of evidence supporting this are: The 2 emergency cells (example … Continue reading →

Posted in bees, Nature | Tagged | 14 Comments

Lizard Sanctuary

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Laura Rittenhouse

Recently I went on a free workshop held by my local council. The intent was to raise awareness of the plight of lizards and other reptiles in suburbia. Like many native animals, they are suffering loss of habitat and falling … Continue reading →

Posted in Chickens, Nature, Sustainability | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments